U.S. patent number 5,265,493 [Application Number 07/778,868] was granted by the patent office on 1993-11-30 for length regulating device for security cable of motor vehicles.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Pujol T. Tarrago S.A.. Invention is credited to Agustin Roca, Victorino Solano.
United States Patent |
5,265,493 |
Solano , et al. |
November 30, 1993 |
Length regulating device for security cable of motor vehicles
Abstract
An automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device
has an adjusting mechanism which is operative for setting and
adjusting a length of a sheathed cable which connects an actuating
mechanism of one of a brake shoe or caliper actuating mechanism,
and a control mechanism which is permanently connected by the
sheathed cable to the adjusting mechanism to cooperate with the
latter and commands setting and adjusting operations of the
adjusting mechanism depending on the position of the brake
lever.
Inventors: |
Solano; Victorino (Sant Sugat
Del Valles, ES), Roca; Agustin (Rubi, ES) |
Assignee: |
Pujol T. Tarrago S.A. (Rubi,
ES)
|
Family
ID: |
8266983 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/778,868 |
Filed: |
February 10, 1992 |
PCT
Filed: |
March 20, 1991 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/EG91/00016 |
371
Date: |
February 10, 1992 |
102(e)
Date: |
February 10, 1992 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO86/05849 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
October 09, 1986 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
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|
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Apr 23, 1990 [ES] |
|
|
P 9001138 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
74/501.5R;
192/111.12; 74/500.5; 74/502.4; 74/502.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60T
7/108 (20130101); B60T 11/046 (20130101); F16C
1/22 (20130101); F16D 65/54 (20130101); Y10T
74/20408 (20150115); Y10T 74/20462 (20150115); Y10T
74/20402 (20150115); Y10T 74/2045 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B60T
11/04 (20060101); B60T 11/00 (20060101); B60T
7/10 (20060101); B60T 7/02 (20060101); F16D
65/38 (20060101); F16D 65/54 (20060101); F16C
1/22 (20060101); F16C 1/10 (20060101); F16C
001/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;74/500.5,51.5R,501.6,502,502.6,503,504 ;192/111AX |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
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|
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0030494 |
|
Jun 1981 |
|
EP |
|
2621090 |
|
Mar 1989 |
|
FR |
|
8605849 |
|
Oct 1986 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Luong; Vinh T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Striker; Michael J.
Claims
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
1. An automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device
comprising, an adjusting mechanism which is operative for setting
and adjusting a length of a sheathed cable which connects an
actuating mechanism of one of a brake shoe and a caliper of one of
vehicle rear wheels to a brake level; and a control mechanism which
is permanently connectable by the sheathed cable to said adjusting
mechanism to cooperate with the latter so that said control
mechanism commands setting and adjusting operations of said
adjusting mechanism depending on a position of the brake level,
said adjusting mechanism being formed as a substantially
frustoconical hollow main body member, said main body member of
said adjusting mechanism having one end which is arranged to face
the actuating mechanism of one of the brake shoe and the caliper
and is provided with a concentric radial extension having a
tangential extension with a bore of stepped section dimensioned so
that the cable devoid of sheath is slidable therethrough, and to
receive and fix a corresponding end of the sheath of the cable.
2. An automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting
mechanism is formed as a substantially frustonconical hollow main
body member; and further comprising actuating means received in
said hollow main body member and connectable to said control
mechanism by the cable; and mechanical means setting and adjusting
a length of the sheathed cable.
3. An automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device
as defined in claim 2, wherein said mechanical setting and
adjusting means has an adjusting rod which is attachable at one end
thereof to a sheath of the cable, said adjusting rod having a
longitudinal through bore dimensioned so that the cable, devoid of
sheath, is slidable therethrough, said adjusting rod having an
external retaining screw thread, said mechanical fixture and
adjusting means also having clamping jaws provided with retaining
screw threads mating with said thread of said adjusting rod, said
mechanical fixing and adjusting means also having a substantially
conical release member provided with a bore through which said
adjusting rod is slidable.
4. An automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device
as defined in claim 3, wherein said mechanical fixing and adjusting
means has a release spring disposed coaxially with said adjusting
rod and pressing permanently against said main body member and said
release member, and a spring arranged to be located coaxially above
the sheath of the cable and bearing permanently against said main
body member of said adjusting mechanism and against the sheath of
the cable so that a length of the sheath cable can be adjusted.
5. An automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device
as defined in claim 1, wherein said main body member of said
adjusting mechanism has another end provided with a longitudinal
extension which is dimensioned and shaped so as to allow attachment
of said adjusting mechanism to a fixed point of a vehicle
structure.
6. An automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device
as defined in claim 5, wherein said main body member has an
interior formed at an end facing said actuating mechanism with a
cylindrical portion connected to a transverse cavity which is
coextensive with said concentric radial extension, said cylindrical
portion and said transverse cavity being dimensioned to snugly
receive said mechanical actuating means, said main body member also
having a frustoconical portion which is an extension of said
cylindrical portion and has another cylindrical portion dimensioned
to snugly receive said mechanical means.
7. An automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device
comprising, an adjusting mechanism which is operative for setting
and adjusting a length of a sheathed cable which connects an
actuating mechanism of one of a brake shoe and a caliper of one of
vehicle rear wheels to a brake level; and a control mechanism which
is permanently connectable by the sheathed cable to said adjusting
mechanism to cooperate with the latter so that said control
mechanism commands setting and adjusting operations of said
adjusting mechanism depending on a position of the brake lever,
said adjusting mechanism being formed as a substantially
frustoconical hollow main body member; actuating means received in
said hollow main body member and connectable to said control
mechanism; and mechanical means setting and adjusting a length of
the sheathed cable, said actuating means having a substantially
cylindrical base member having a concentric radial extension for
coupling and snug closing of an end of said main body member, said
base member on each side interior to said main body member being
formed with a number of radial slots and with a longitudinal
centered extension with a free substantially frustonconical end,
said base member having a centered longitudinal bore dimensioned so
that said mechanical fixing and adjusting means is slidable
therethrough.
8. An automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device
as defined in claim 7, wherein said mechanical actuating means has
an essentially cylindrical thrust disc provided with a longitudinal
through bore through which said longitudinal center extension of
said base member is slidable, said thrust disc having a surface
which faces said base member and is provided with radial ribs in a
number and size corresponding to the number and size of said radial
slots of said base member so that they are snugly engageable and
disengageable, said thrust disc being provided with retaining
projections for firm attachment with the cable.
9. An automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device
as defined in claim 8, wherein said main body member has a
transverse cavity, the mechanical actuating means further having a
spring which is located in said transverse cavity, permanently
bears against said thrust disc and against a wall of said cavity so
that when said spring is expanded it establishes a position in
which said thrust disc and said base member are closest
together.
10. An automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device
comprising, an adjusting mechanism which is operative for setting
and adjusting an length of a sheathed cable which connects an
actuating mechanism of one of a brake shoe and a caliper of one of
vehicle rear wheels to a brake lever; and a control mechanism which
is permanently connectable by the sheathed cable to said adjusting
mechanism to cooperate with the latter so that said control
mechanism commands setting and adjusting operations of said
adjusting mechanism depending on a position of the brake lever,
said adjusting mechanism being formed as a substantially
frustoconical hollow main body member; actuating means received in
said hollow main body member and connectable to said control
mechanism; mechanical means setting and adjusting a length of the
sheathed cable; and mechanical command means determining the
actuating of said adjusting mechanism, said control mechanism
having a substantially right parallelepipedic main body member
dimensioned to snugly receive said mechanical command means.
11. An automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device
as defined in claim 10, wherein said mechanical means has a
plurality of members, said control mechanism having a main body
with means for anchoring said main body to a fixed point of a
vehicle structure and formed with a longitudinal through cavity and
a transverse cavity dimensioned so that said member of said command
means are slidable snugly therethrough while acting coordinatedly,
said transverse cavity being provided with a through hole.
12. An automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device
as defined in claim 11, wherein said through hole of said
transverse cavity is formed with a retaining screw thread.
13. An automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device
as defined in claim 11, wherein said mechanical command means has a
thrust member which is received in said longitudinal through cavity
and attached to the table, a draw member which is located ins aid
transverse cavity and attachable to a corresponding end of the
cable connecting it to said thrust disc of said adjusting
mechanism, said draw member having a through hole through which
said thrust member of said mechanical command means is slidable
causing a longitudinal movement of said draw member over a
distance, and an adjusting rod which is attachable at one end
thereof to the sheath of the cable, is provided with a longitudinal
through hole so that the cable devoid of sheath connected to said
draw member is slidable therethrough, allowing for adjustment and
setting of the length of the cable.
14. An automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device
as defined in claim 13, wherein said adjusting rod of said
mechanical command means is formed on its outside with a retaining
screw thread.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for self-adjusting or
regulating the length of an automobile parking brake cable, in
particular for private passenger cars and transport vehicles.
As is known, the purpose of the parking brake incorporated as
original equipment in automobiles is to hold the vehicle immobile
once it has been parked, even when it is parked on a steep slope.
The parking brake generally acts on the rear wheels of the
automobile and, in any case, the parking brake mechanical actuating
device is independent of the service or foot brake actuating
device.
The parking brake is generally actuated manually by a brake lever
which is disposed in the vehicle and connected by sheathed steel
cables to the mechanisms applying the brake shoes or calipers which
immobilize the vehicle on each rear wheel. The said brake lever is
provided with mechanical means setting the position in which the
parking brake is operative, preventing the said brake lever from
accidentally coming out of the braking position under normal
service conditions.
The said sheathed steel cables connecting the brake lever to the
brake shoe or caliper actuating mechanism of each rear wheel are
subject to variations of length. This causes unequal operation of
the brake device which is compensated by mechanisms acting
permanently on the sheathed steel cables.
The known parking brake sheathed steel cable length compensation
mechanisms suffer, nevertheless, from notable operative drawbacks
when the brake shoes or calipers are temporarily seized, i.e., when
the brake shoes or calipers do not return to the normal released
position until some time has passed after releasing the brake
lever. This situation is frequently caused by accumulation of ice
on the brake shoe or caliper actuating mechanisms during extended
parking of the vehicle in the open air, in regions where low
temperatures are usual.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To provide a solution to the problems caused by temporary seizure
of the automobile parking brake shoes or calipers under the above
conditions, a parking brake cable length self-adjusting device of a
new structure is disclosed.
The device of the invention is characterized in that it has an
adjusting mechanism which is suitably disposed relative to the
sheathed steel cable connecting the brake shoe or caliper actuating
mechanism of one of the vehicle rear wheels to the brake lever and
which sets and adjusts the length of sheathed cable comprised
between said the mechanisms; and a control mechanism which is
suitably disposed relative to the steel cable connecting the brake
shoe or caliper actuating mechanisms of the rear wheels with the
parking bake lever and is permanently connected by a sheathed steel
cable to the adjusting mechanism with which it acts coordinatedly.
In this way the control mechanism commands the setting and
adjusting operations of the said adjusting mechanism, depending on
the position of the brake lever.
The adjusting mechanism is formed by an essentially frustoconical
hollow main body member of sufficient size to receive mechanical
actuating means which are firmly connected to the control mechanism
by way of the steel cable connecting the adjusting and control
mechanisms, and mechanical means setting and adjusting the length
of the sheathed steel cable located between the adjusting mechanism
and the actuating mechanism of the brake shoes or caliper of the
corresponding rear wheel.
The main body member of the adjusting mechanism is formed, at the
end facing the rear wheel brake shoe or caliper actuating mechanism
with a concentric radial extension provided with a tangential
extension having a bore of stepped section. The bore is so
dimensioned that the steel cable, devoid of sheath, linking the
adjusting and control mechanisms may suitably slide therethrough,
and so that it can receive and firmly fix the corresponding end of
the sheath of said steel cable. At the other end it has a
longitudinal extension which is dimensioned and shaped to allow the
attachment of the adjusting mechanism to a fixed point of the
vehicle structure. The interior of the main body member is formed,
at the end facing the said actuating mechanism, with a cylindrical
portion connected to a transverse cavity concentric therewith which
is coextensive with the said concentric radial extension. The said
cylindrical portion and transverse cavity ar dimensioned snugly to
receive mechanical actuating means. As an extension to the said
cylindrical portion and correlatively therewith, there is a
frustoconical portion and a cylindrical portion so dimensioned as
snugly to receive mechanical fixing and adjusting means.
The mechanical actuating means is constituted by an essentially
cylindrical base member having a concentric radial extension which
dimensionally allows the coupling and snug closing, lidwise, of the
corresponding end of the main body member. The base member is
formed on the side, interior to the main body member, with a
sufficient number of suitably dimensioned radial slots and with a
longitudinal centered extension the free end of which is
essentially frustoconical. The said base member is provided with a
centered longitudinal bore so dimensioned that the members
constituting the mechanical fixing and adjusting means may slide
suitably therethrough. The mechanical actuating means also
comprises an essentially cylindrical thrust disc provided with a
longitudinal through bore through which the longitudinal extension
formed on the said base member may suitably slide. The surface of
the thrust disc facing the base member is provided with radial ribs
which agree in number and size with the radial slots formed on the
base member so that they may snugly engage and disengage. The
thrust disc is provided with retaining projections allowing firm
attachment thereof with the steel cable connecting the adjusting
and control mechanisms. The mechanical actuating means also
comprises a spring housed in the transverse cavity formed inside
the main body member and permanently bearing against the thrust
disc and against the corresponding wall of the said cavity so that
when the spring is expanded it establishes the position in which
the thrust disc and the base member are closest together.
The mechanical fixing and adjusting means is constituted by an
adjusting rod which is firmly attached at one end thereof to the
sheath of the steel cable whose length is to be adjusted. Said
adjusting rod has a longitudinal through bore suitably designed so
that the steel cable devoid of sheath may slide therethrough, and
an external retaining thread extending over a sufficient length.
There are also clamping jaws of suitable size and sufficient number
provided with corresponding retaining threads mating with the
thread formed on the outside of the adjusting rod. The means also
comprises an essentially conical releasing member provided with a
bore through which the adjusting rod may slide and a spring
disposed coaxially with the adjusting rod and pressing permanently
against the main body member and the release member.
The mechanical fixing and adjusting means is provided with a spring
disposed coaxially about the sheath of the steel cable whose length
is to be adjusted. It bears permanently against the main body
member of the adjusting mechanism and against the sheath of the
said steel cable, whereby it may adjust the length of the sheathed
steel cable.
The control mechanism is constituted by an essentially right
parallelepipedic main body member suitably dimensioned so as to
sungly receive mechanical command means determining the actuation
of the said adjusting mechanism. The mechanical command means is
connected, as described above, to the thrust disc forming the
actuating means of the adjusting mechanism by way of a sheathed
steel cable.
The control mechanism main body member comprises means which is
suitably dimensioned depending on each particular application and
allows it to be anchored to a fixed point of the vehicle structure.
It is formed internally with a longitudinal through cavity and a
transverse cavity which are suitably dimensioned and so disposed
mutually as to allow constituent parts of the command mechanism to
slide snugly therethrough while acting coordinatedly. Said
transverse cavity is provided with a through hole which may
comprise a retaining screw thread for receiving and fixing
constituent parts of the said command mechanism.
The command mechanism is constituted by a thrust member which is
received in the said longitudinal through cavity and firmly
attached to the steel cable which, as said above, connects the
brake lever with the vehicle rear wheel brake shoe or caliper
actuating mechanisms. It also comprises a draw member which is
housed in the said transverse cavity and is firmly attached to the
other end of the steel cable connecting it to the thrust disc of
the adjusting mechanism. Said draw member is formed with a through
hole through which the said thrust member may slide so as to cause
a longitudinal movement of the draw member over a sufficient
distance. It further comprises an adjusting rod which may be formed
on the outside thereof with a retaining screw thread and which is
firmly attached at one end thereof to the sheath of the cable
connecting the adjusting and control mechanisms. It is provided
with a longitudinal through hole so that the steel cable, devoid of
sheath, connected to the draw member may suitably slide
therethrough, allowing for adjustment and setting of the length of
the sheathed cable comprised between the control and adjusting
mechanisms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device of
the invention is represented in the sheets of drawings of the
present specification. In said drawings:
FIG. 1 is an overall partially sectioned view of the device of the
invention.
FIGS. 2A and 3A are views partly in section of the adjusting
mechanism forming the device of the invention in different
operative stages.
FIGS. 2B and 3B are enlarged views of fragments of FIGS. 2A and
3A.
FIGS. 4 and 5 are side and top views respectively of a component of
the adjusting mechanism of the device of the invention.
FIGS. 6 and 7 are side and top views respectively of a component of
the adjusting mechanism of the device of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a component of the adjusting mechanism
of the device of the invention.
FIG. 9 is a cross section view from FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a top view, partly in section, of the control mechanism
of the device of the invention.
FIG. 11 is an overall view of the device with cooperating parts of
a motor vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
The automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device
described as an embodiment is formed, as shown in FIG. 1 of the
enclosed drawing sheets, by the adjusting mechanism and by the
control mechanism C connected together by the sheathed steel cable
E.
The adjusting mechanism R is mounted on the steel cable 1
connecting the brake shoe or caliper actuating mechanism M of one
of the rear wheels RH of the vehicle with the rocking device B,
which is connected to the control mechanism by the steel cable 2.
In turn, the control mechanism C is connected to the brake lever F1
by the steel cable 3, all as shown in detail in FIG. 1 which, for
clarity, does not show the said actuating mechanism or the brake
lever.
The adjusting mechanism R is formed by the main body member 4
suitably dimensioned snugly to receive mechanical actuating means
MA and fixing and adjusting means FR for the length of the steel
cable 1 provided with the sheath 5. The steel cable 1 extends
between the adjusting mechanism and the said brake shoe or caliper
actuating mechanism.
The main body member 4 is essentially frustoconical as shown in
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and is made preferably from plastics materials of
appropriate mechanical properties.
The main body member 4 is formed at the end facing the sheathed
steel cable 1-5, with the concentric radial extension 6 provided
with the tangential extension 7, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9.
The said tangential extension 7 is provided with a bore 8, shown in
FIG. 9, of stepped section which is designed to receive and fix the
corresponding end of the sheath 9 of the steel cable 10. The cable
10 connects the adjusting mechanism R and control mechanism C, and
allows passage therethrough of said steel cable 10. At the opposite
end there is the longitudinal extension 11 provided with a bore 12,
shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and designed to anchor the adjusting
mechanism R to the fixed point F of the vehicle structure.
In this embodiment, the longitudinal extension 11 is cylindrical
and, logically, may have any other form which is appropiate for
each particular application.
The interior of the main body member 4 is formed, at the said end
facing to the sheathed steel cable 1-5, with a cylindrical portion
13 having a transverse cavity 14 concentric therewith and
coextensive with the radial extension 6 as shown in detail in FIG.
9. It is designed snugly to receive the mechanical actuating means
MA. Linking with the said cylindrical portion 13 and transfer
cavity 14 and correlatively therewith, the interior of the main
body member 4 is formed with a frustoconical portion 15 and a
cylindrical portion 16 designed snugly for receiving mechanical
fixing and adjusting means FR.
The mechanical actuating means MA is constituted by the base member
17, by the thrust disc 18 and by the spring 19 which are mutually
engageable as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The base member 17 and the
thrust disc 18 are preferably made from plastics materials of
appropriate mechanical properties.
The base member 17 as shown i FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. It acts as a cover
for the main body member 4, as shown i FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. It is
essentially cylindrical and is formed with a concentric radial
extension 20 and a longitudinal centered extension 21 the free end
of which is frustoconical in 22 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Said
base member 17 has a longitudinal central bore 23.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show also how the surface of the base member 17
facing the interior of the main body member 4 is formed in this
embodiment with three radial slots 24 having corresponding sliding
planes 25.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show how the thrust disc 18, which is essentially
cylindrical, is provided with two retaining projections 26. They
allow the firm connection of the corresponding end of the steel
cable 10 which, as said above, connects the adjusting mechanism and
control mechanism C together, by way of the corresponding through
holes 27.
The thrust disc 18 is formed on the surface facing the base member
17 with three radial ribs 28. They mate positionally and
dimensionally with the radial slots 24 and sliding planes 25 formed
on the said base member 17, so that they may snugly engage together
and disengage by means of the said sliding planes.
The thrust disc 18 is also provided with the centered through hole
29 through which the longitudinal centered extension 21 of the base
member 17 may slide snugly, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the
drawing sheets.
The spring 19 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is disposed coaxially around
the steel cable 10 which, stripped of its sheath, is in the
interior of the main body member 4 received in the transverse
cavity 14. Therefore, with the steel cable 10 being connected to
the thrust disc 18 by the retaining projections 26, the spring 19
permanently presses against the thrust disc 18 and against the wall
of the transverse cavity 14 through which the steel cable 10 may
slide.
The mechanical fixing and adjusting means FR is constituted by the
adjusting rod 30, by the jaws 31 provided with the linking spring
32, by the release member 33, by the release spring 34 and by the
adjusting spring 35, as shown in detail in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.
The adjusting rod 30 may slide through the main body member 4, as
shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. It is provided with a suitably
dimensioned longitudinal bore through which the steel cable 1
linking, as said before, the brake shoe or caliper actuating
mechanism of the rear wheel with the rocking device may slide. Said
adjusting rod 30 is firmly attached at one end thereof by the
terminal 36 to the corresponding end of the sheath 5 of the steel
cable 1 the length of which is to be adjusted.
In this embodiment the adjusting rod 30 is formed externally with a
screw thread 37 extending along the whole length thereof.
Logically, the length of the screw thread 37 may vary depending on
each particular application.
The jaws 31, of which there are three in this embodiment, are
snugly received, in the frustoconical portion 15 formed in the
interior of the main body member 4 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.
Thereby an essentially cylindrical longitudinal aperture is defined
through which the adjusting rod 30 may suitably slide. The
respective ends of said aperture form corresponding essentially
frustoconical portions 31a and 31b.
The jaws 31 are provided on the surfaces forming the said aperture
with corresponding screw threads 38 mating with the retaining screw
37 formed on the adjusting rod 30. They may snugly engage or
disengage as shown in the amplified detailed views of FIGS. 3 and 2
respectively.
In this embodiment, the jaws 31 are connected together by the
linking spring 32 which is designed to keep the preset distribution
of the latter in the frustoconical portion 15 constant while they
move therethrough.
The release member 33 and release spring 34 are received, in the
cylindrical portion 16 formed in the interior of the main body
member 4 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.
The release member 33 is essentially cylindrical and is provided
with a bore through which the adjusting rod 30 may suitably slide.
At the end facing the jaws 31 it is formed with a frustoconical
portion 39 mating with the frustoconical 31b formed on the jaws
31.
The release spring 34 is disposed coaxially around the adjusting
rod 30 and presses permanently against the wall forming the
cylindrical portion 16 of the main body member 4 and against the
release body 33. Thereby through the frustoconical portion 39 of
the release member 33 it tends to force apart the jaws 31 of the
adjusting rod 30, as shown in detail in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show how the spring 35 is disposed coaxially
around the sheathed steel cable 1-5 and the adjusting rod 30 and
presses permanently against the main body member 4 and, through
mechanical means which for reasons similar to those given above are
not shown in the drawing sheets, against the sleeve 5 of the steel
cable 1. Thereby adjusting the length of the sheathed steel cable
1-5 is adjusted.
The control mechanism is constituted by the main body member 40
which suitably dimensioned may snugly receive the mechanical
control means G for the actuation of the adjusting mechanism R
depending precisely on the position of the parking brake lever.
The main body member 40 is essentially parallelepipedic as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 10 and is made preferably from plastics materials
having appropriate mechanical properties. In this embodiment, it is
provided with four elongated holes 41 for anchorage thereof to a
fixed point F2 on the automobile structure.
FIGS. 1 and 3 show how the main body member 40 is formed in the
interior thereof with the longitudinal cavity 42. Both ends are
provided with respective bores 43 and 44 through which the steel
cables 2 and 3 may respectively suitably slide. It is also provided
with the transverse cavity 45, one end of which is provided with
the bore 46 provided with a screw thread.
FIGS. 1 and 10 show how the mechanical command means received in
the main body member 40 are formed by the thrust member 47, by the
draw member 48 and by the adjusting rod 49.
The thrust member 47, which in this embodiment is essentially
parallelepipedic in shape, is snugly received in the longitudinal
cavity 42 through which it may slide in a sufficient distance. It
is attached at one of the longitudinal ends thereof to the steel
cable 2 connecting with the rocking device B.
In this embodiment, the thrust member 47 is provided with the
sliding surface 50 formed on the end receiving the steel cable 3
which connects with the brake lever.
The draw member 48, which in this embodiment is essentially
parallelepipedic in shape is snugly received in the transverse
cavity 45 in which it may slide over a sufficient distance. It is
attached at one of the ends thereof to the corresponding end of the
steel cable 10 which, at the other end thereof, is attached, as
said above, to the thrust disc 18 forming the mechanical actuating
means MA of the adjusting mechanism R.
The draw member 48 is provided with the bore 51 through which the
thrust member may snugly slide. Said draw member 48 is provided
with the bearing 52 so that the sliding of thrust member 47 through
the draw member 48 causes the latter to move through the transverse
cavity 45 as shown in FIG. 1 and 10.
For manual adjustment of the length of the sheathed steel cable E
connecting the adjusting mechanism with the control mechanism C the
corresponding end of the sheath 9 of the steel cable 10 is firmly
attached to the adjusting rod 49 by way of the terminal 53 as shown
in FIGS. 1 and 3.
The adjusting rod 49, which is provided with a bore through which
the steel cable 10 may suitably slide, is provided on the outer
surface thereof over a sufficient length with a screw thread mating
with the screw thread provided in the bore 46 of the transverse
cavity 45 of the main body member 40. Thereby the adjusting rod 49
may be inserted in the transverse cavity 45 to the distance
required by the adjustment of the length of the sheathed cable E in
each particular application. The position of the control rod 49 is
set once the necessary length of the sheathed cable E has been
determined, by the two nuts 54 which are designed to prevent the
unscrewing and consequent misadjustment of the adjusting rod
49.
The automobile parking brake cable length self-adjusting device of
the invention described here as an embodiment operates as
follows:
FIGS. 1 and 2 show the positions occupied by the components of the
mechanical means forming the adjusting mechanism and control
mechanism C when the parking brake is released, in other words,
when the brake lever is in the released position. Under these
conditions, the adjusting rod 30 of the mechanical fixing and
adjusting means FR may slide freely through the main body member 4
of the adjusting mechanism and may occupy any intermediate
adjusting position of the length of the sheathed steel cable 1-5
connecting the corresponding vehicle rear wheel brake shoe or
caliper actuating mechanism with the adjusting mechanism . The
adjusting position is determined by the mechanisms of the parking
brake device and by the action of the adjusting spring 35 of the
mechanical fixing and adjusting means FR. Under these conditions,
the combined action of the release member 33 and of the release
spring 34 of the mechanical fixing and adjusting means and the
frustoconical shape 22 of the free end of the longitudinal centered
extension 21 of the base member 17 of the actuating mechanism MA,.
prevent the jaws 31 from acting on the adjusting rod 30, since said
jaws 31, due to the said combined action may slide away from
adjusting rod 30 along the frustoconical portion 15 formed on the
interior of the main body member 4. This sliding is possible in
turn due to the position occupied by the thrust disc 18 of the
actuating means MA which is attached by the steel cable 10 to the
control mechanism C.
FIGS. 3 and 10 show the positions occupied by the said mechanical
means of the adjusting mechanism R and the control mechanism C,
respectively, when the parking brake is applied, in other words,
when the brake lever is in the braking position. Under these
conditions the adjusting rod 30 is blocked due to the action of the
jaws 31, and in this way the length of the sheath steel cable 1-5
is fixed. Under these conditions, the thrust disc 18, which is
actuated by the steel cable 10, is moved over sufficient distance
and moves in turn the jaws 31 across the frustoconical portion 15
of the main body member 4 to the position in which the thread 37
and 38, formed on the adjusting member 30 and the jaws 31
respectively, are blocked together, thereby preventing any movement
of the adjusting rod 30.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or
two or more together, may also find a useful application in other
types of constructions differing from the types described
above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied
in alength self-regulating device for security cable of motor
vehicles, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown,
since various modifications and structural changes may be made
without departing in any way from the spirit of the present
invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the
gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current
knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without
omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly
constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific
aspects of this invention.
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